The Saturdays' Una Foden: My family is complete

Una Foden was the first to experience the Fly Cadbury Air private jet [PH]

As one-fifth of top girl band The Saturdays, Una Foden has enjoyed a full-on career with a succession of hits – but now she’s taking time out to enjoy family life. Una, 33, and husband Ben are parents to Aoife, three, and four-month-old Tadhg.

But that doesn’t mean things are over for The Saturdays! Una says the girls are lucky to be able to do their own thing but will be back doing what they do best soon.

Here, Una, who won The Voice Ireland with her act earlier this year, chats about motherhood, beauty, fitness and why her style is different away from the band.

How is life as a mum of two?

It’s really busy. I never really stop now! I had Tadhg at the beginning of February and then I took a few months off and flew out to Ireland to be a coach on The Voice Ireland.

It went really well; my act won the show, so I was very pleased! Now I’m back, we’ve moved to a new home in Northamptonshire so we’ve been busy setting up our new house.

Loads of things were in boxes for ages but we’re slowly getting unpacked and settling in. It’s time to get a bit of routine back in our lives because Tadhg is sleeping through the night now, which is brilliant, so I only have to do one feed at 5am or 6am.

It’s all going great!

It must be nice to have one of each.

Oh, it is. It’s a bit too soon to tell what they’re going to be like but, in a few years time, it will be amazing for Ben to have a boy to play rugby and other sports with. He’ll have the little boy out doing that, then I can do girlie things with Aoife.

She’s shown an interest in sport as well, so whatever she wants to do is fine. I used to swim as a child myself, so I’d love to get her into swimming.

How was your pregnancy?

I never really had bad morning sickness; just a touch of it here and there.

I was never actually physically sick, so I was very lucky. I’ve had two really good pregnancies. You performed with The Saturdays while you were pregnant – did that help keep you in shape? I performed with the girls during both pregnancies but both times it was right in the middle, so I felt like I had loads of energy.

I never overdid it but it definitely helped to keep me fit so, afterwards, the sleep deprivation and the energy I needed for breastfeeding wasn’t such a shock!

'I want to find a gym and start getting some structure into my life, so I can have a fitness regime' [PH]

Have you started a workout plan?

It’s hard to do a plan when your routine is all over the place but that’s something I want to start doing now. I want to find a gym and start getting some structure into my life, so I can have a fitness regime.

But I’ve found that I’ve been on the go all of the time, running around everywhere, up and down the stairs getting nappies. I’m definitely working out at home!

Do you get together with Rochelle and Frankie for play dates with your children?

Oh, yes. Aoife is a little bit older than the others but they’ve all met each other a few times and it’s always really nice to all get together.

When you haven’t seen each other for a few weeks, you can really see how much the kids have changed. They’re all growing up so fast.

Would you like another baby at some point?

Well, two is easier than three! It’s great now because we have one of each and I feel like we’re complete as a family, but you never know. We’re very happy.

Your act won The Voice Ireland. Did you enjoy doing the show?

I really did. My act, Patrick Donoghue, is really amazing so listen out for him in the future. I was very lucky to be working with him and I really enjoyed the experience.

It seemed to go on for ages. The whole process lasts for six months really – from the time you film the blind auditions to when the live shows start.

Would you like to be a coach on the UK version of the show?

It would be a huge honour to be asked. I really enjoyed doing the show in Ireland and I’d love to do it again but we’ll have to see what happens.

What about being a judge on The X Factor?

I love The X Factor and I always watch the show, so I’ll definitely be tuning in later this year.

What’s next for The Saturdays?

We’re just taking some time off to concentrate on life in general but we’re still together. We’re not breaking up; just putting it out there!

We’re just taking a little bit of time off to concentrate on other things. It will be really nice when we do get back in the studio to record an album and start touring again – it will feel really fresh.

We’ve been lucky because, in a short space of time, we’ve had five albums and 18 singles so it’s been full on.

It’s great to be at that point where we’re comfortable enough to do different things.

Are you planning on releasing any solo material at all?

I’ve always loved music. I’ve been writing music since I was 12 years old and I’m still writing today. Eventually putting out an album of my own original music is something I would love to do, so we’ll have to see.

The music I write is very much acoustic based with me on guitar. I’d definitely be more of a singer-songwriter.

What’s your skincare routine?

I wash my face with the classic Dove soap and then moisturise with Eve Lom, which is really nice. I like Clinique eye cream.

What are your favourite make-up products?

I love Armani Luminous Foundation, Nars blusher and MAC lipstick.

Do you use any body products?

Lancôme self tan is really good. I put some on last weekend and it lasted all week without starting to look a bit dirty.

Do you feel you have to glam up every day in case you get papped?

I’m very relaxed about it. I like to put a bit of make-up on every day just to make myself feel better but I don’t get too glammed up.

But I do love getting dressed up for special occasions and red carpet events.

How has your style changed over the past few years?

I obviously dress according to what the band is doing for a particular video but, in my own life, I’ve got a more individual style. I really do love fashion and I follow all of the trends to see what’s in.

Tell us about the Cadbury Air promotion you’re supporting?

You can win a chance to jump on the Cadbury jet and be whisked off to either Marrakech, Berlin, Rome, Barcelona or Monaco. And there is lots chocolate on board as well! If I won, I’d love to go to Marrakech with my husband, Ben.

Una Foden was the first to experience the Fly Cadbury Air private jet. visit flycadburyair.com to enter the competition to win a flight to one of five destinations each Friday until the end of July.